On “Willie Dixon’s Gone,” one of two originals on George Thorogood & The Destroyers’ brand new 2120 South Michigan Ave. album, George sings, “rock is inside my head but blues is in my heart,” and that nicely sums up the music of his entire career. Here we are in 2011,Read More

There are these moments, throughout the fiery emotional aftermath of “Ashes Ashes,” where Katie Costello gives herself over to the lyric, and the sound is like a hot wind rushing past and out into the world. You May Also Like: No related posts.

by Mark Saleski I am shocked to say that this recording left me cold. Shocked because it’s got Abdullah Ibrahim on it! There certainly are some great moments, such as the solo piano opening track (“Green Kalahari”) and the sprightly “Mandela”; come on, the melody is played on the irresistibleRead More

Listening to the guitarist Aram Bajakian is lot like listening to Marc Ribot, and Aram follows much of Ribot’s wildly divergent style that incorporates the vintage forms of swing, punk and rock and roll into a fresh and daring style. So it’s fair to state that if you like Ribot,Read More

Demetria Taylor comes by her love of mid-century Chicago blues honestly: She’s the daughter of Eddie Taylor, who rose to fame as a rhythm guitarist with Jimmy Reed You May Also Like: Mike Zito – First Class Life (2018)

Vaughan dishes a second helping of obscure blues covers with Jimmie Vaughan Plays More Blues, Ballads & Favorites. Fast on the heels of the well-received Plays Blues, Ballads & Favorites from last year, everything great about that record is present on this one: Vaughan’s cropped, cool guitar picking, his smooth,Read More

Philadelphia-based Mir Stavola pulls off a difficult act on Gypsy Heaven, expertly balancing between two seemingly disparate worlds. She longs for and appreciates the rich cultural history associated with these traveling tribes, but also the ways that this world now encroaches from all sides. You May Also Like: Gypsy, “GypsyRead More

The deeply talented Laura Ellis gets going quickly on Femme Fatale, as if in midsentence, on the knowing and lightly ribald “I’ve Been Kissed Before.” As she sings a lyric about moving past previous relationships into new adventures, a brightly swinging horn section featuring Terry Harrington and Bob O’Donnell hitRead More

Being in a town known for some mind expanding and often quirky acts (Tortoise, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Vandermark 5, etc.), Cheer-Accident stands out in their hometown Chicago. You May Also Like: Cheer-Accident – ‘Chicago XX’ (2020) Blue Cheer Set a New Rock Standard With ‘Vincebus Eruptum’ Gestalt – ‘MusicRead More

Well-known from the first as a trombone player with a penchant for warm, vocalized blues phrasing, Curtis Fuller was always an underrated composer, as well You May Also Like: Curtis Andrews, “Tight Rope, Short Walk” from ‘Speaking Hands’ (2021): Something Else! video premiere